Service members face many challenges during wartime, including coping with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues. One common concern is the fear that emotional changes caused by war can distance them from their loved ones. This can be especially difficult for service members who are away from home for extended periods and have limited contact with family and friends. In this article, I will explore how service members cope with this fear and maintain strong connections to their loved ones despite these challenges.
Coping strategies
It's important to understand that not all service members experience the same level of emotional changes after combat. Some may find themselves more irritable or anxious than before, while others may struggle with depression or PTSD.
The fear of being distant from loved ones is a universal concern among those who serve. Here are some strategies that service members use to cope with this fear:
1. Staying connected through technology: Service members use various forms of communication like email, text messages, video calls, and social media to stay in touch with their families back home. They also make an effort to share personal updates about their lives, such as hobbies, interests, and experiences, to keep their loved ones informed and engaged.
2. Focusing on shared values: Many service members emphasize shared values, such as patriotism or a sense of duty, to strengthen bonds with their loved ones. They discuss these values openly and work together to support each other during times of difficulty.
3. Keeping promises: Military spouses and partners often make sacrifices to support their loved one's service, including relocating to new communities or managing household responsibilities alone. Service members try to honor these sacrifices by keeping their promises and honoring commitments made at home.
4. Seeking professional help: Mental health professionals can provide valuable resources for service members dealing with emotional changes caused by war. These include counseling, therapy, and medication to manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
5. Finding support groups: Joining online or in-person groups of fellow service members and military families can be a great way to connect and find support. These groups offer peer-to-peer encouragement and understanding, which can be especially helpful when dealing with challenging emotions.
6. Focusing on the future: Some service members focus on the future, setting goals for themselves and their families that they can work towards together after deployment. This helps them feel connected and motivated even if they are physically separated from their loved ones.
Challenges faced by military families
While service members face many challenges while away from home, their families also deal with significant stressors. Here are some of the difficulties that military families may experience:
1. Feeling lonely: Military families may struggle with loneliness and isolation due to long deployments or frequent moves. They may miss their loved one's presence and support during difficult times.
2. Financial strain: Deployment and relocation can put additional financial pressure on families, making it harder to meet basic needs like housing, food, and medical care. This can cause added stress and tension within the family.
3. Emotional trauma: Witnessing the traumas of war firsthand through media coverage or veterans' experiences can take an emotional toll on family members. This can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
4. Parenting alone: Service members who have children may worry about their wellbeing while deployed, especially if they are younger or have special needs. They may also struggle with balancing parenting responsibilities with military duties.
5. Coping with change: Military life involves frequent changes in location, job assignments, and social circles. Family members may find it hard to adjust to these changes and maintain strong relationships with new friends and neighbors.
6. Dealing with loss: Some military families experience the ultimate sacrifice - the death of a loved one in combat. Grieving this loss can be particularly difficult for those left behind, compounded by feelings of guilt and uncertainty.
While coping with fears of being distant from loved ones is challenging, service members and their families use various strategies to stay connected and supportive. From staying in touch through technology to seeking professional help, there are many resources available to navigate these challenges together. It takes effort and commitment from both parties to maintain strong bonds despite the difficulties of wartime deployment and service.
How do service members cope with the fear that emotional changes caused by war may distance them from their loved ones?
Service members often experience anxiety and confusion when they return home after serving in combat situations. They may find it difficult to readjust to civilian life and struggle to express their feelings about what they have experienced during deployment. This can lead to isolation and alienation from family members who cannot fully understand their experiences or the challenges they face.